{always look on the bright side of life}

always. 

image 1 by Robin West; image 2; image 3

{sunday funday}

Yesterday was the perfect Sunday.  Starting off at The Bailey Pub & Brasserie in the Financial District, I decided to go outside of my usual order of eggs benedict and ordered up the Oak Smoked Salmon, carefully layered on top of Boxty Irish Potato Cakes.  I really can't explain how good this was. After that, I decided to walk up through Chinatown {stopping for some lychee bubble Chinese Tea} and Soho to take in the sites.  

I forgot my camera at work, so it was my first true photo diary taken through instagram.  Here's my Sunday in NYC...

stairs and feather headed mannequins in Opening Ceremony

Photos: Robin West

{shoes, glorious shoes}

I can confidently say that if I was able to create a tub of designer shoes in my home, there is no doubt that I would have a smile on my face as big as Tabitha Simmons does.  The only difference is that I would most likely be in the tub with them...

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{happy friday + meet the boys}

I made the leap 2 weeks ago and adopted 2 cats {or as one of my friends and I like to call them, kittums} from a shelter.  Since volunteering, I promised that I would adopt an older cat since people usually go straight for the adorable kittens.

Well, here they are on my blanket covered couch, which is hopefully temporary.  Ringo is the dog-sized orange fluff and Linus is on the left {he doesn't think that his brother cuddling with him is as cute as I do}.  And though they are FIV+, they are as bonkers and cuddly as possible!

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{Elie Saab Couture}

This man can do no wrong!  After I first saw his last rainbow colored show, I didn't think that anything would top it.  Boy, was I way off.  I'm not even a huge pastel fan, but the muted colors, lace and beaded detailing makes me wish that I was in the market for a wedding dress.  Or maybe just a ball...

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{on the streets} who runs the world, girls

During the Couture shows, and even the Menswear shows, these women stole the spotlight on the streets.

images: tommy ton for style.com

{curated} Paire.us

So, if you follow my tweets, you may have seen a fascination with this jewelry site called Paire.  I love a more tailored, curated website, especially when it comes to jewelry consumption.  They include a lot of pieces and designers that you wouldn't normally find together, creating the perfect outlet for those who are also jewelry obsessed.

My favorite pieces right now? Definitely these Elizabeth Cole for Zac Posen line.  Wowza!

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{winter wonderland wedding}

I went to my first true Winter Wonderland wedding this weekend and it was truly something special.  The bride with snowflake inspired beadwork on her dress, a first dance fit for a ball room and decorations iced to fit the snow covered landscape outside.

photos by Robin West (via my instagram)

{graffiti} Dries Van Noten via The Sartorialist

This is one of the most amazing runways I have ever seen.  Ever!

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{side by side} color blocking

image 1, image 2

{daily inspiration}

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{six word story every day}

I find myself being more & more inspired the longer I scroll down this page.

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{Elle Denmark} fashion editorial

Art deco done right.

{Golden Globes 2012} best dressed

Other than the awkward posing into the cameras [I have 2 women in mind that I won't mention], the red carpet was beautiful - sequins, feathers, and most importantly, many gowns bringing us back to an old Hollywood glamour that is much needed.  These are just a few of my stunningly beautiful women.  Knock 'em dead.

images: People, FabSugar

{knock on wood}

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{side by side} lines

Haute Couture + quilled paper work.

image 1, image 2

{metallic prints}

Rich colors accented by brocades & patterns create a truly elegant look, don't ya think?

image 1, image 2, image 3

{food porn}

Or 'foodography', whatever you like to call it, blends food & photography.  There's really not much better than this in my eyes.  Unless the photographer was taking these photos in a couture gown, I suppose.

images 1 & 2, images 3 & 4

{black, white + orange}

image 1 (me), image 2

{good eats} Aubergine Cafe

I ended up in a delightful scenario this weekend - meeting some lady friends for a light dinner, or what you could call a dessert dinner.

Photo: Robin West

{leather accents}

Outdoor seating with a little 'torture device' accent to it, found while roaming SoHo/Tribeca.

Photos: Robin West

{good eats} Locanda Verde NYC

I was won over by the dinner menu here months ago and fell in love even more this weekend after experiencing the brunch menu.  Along with the beautiful waffles below dazzled in apple goodness (even apple syrup), we started the meal with their unreal Sheep's Milk Ricotta drizzled with truffle honey and burnt orange toast.  I stand behind this statement 100% - I could eat this every day and never grow tired of it!

Photos: Robin West

{wrap it up}

What's better than snail mail? Beautiful packaged gifts arriving on your doorstep. 

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{up in the air somewhere}

I've been seeing this zig zag tray all over Pinterest and finally came across the up in the air Etsy shop, loving every single thing in their curated shop.  What's your favorite piece?

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{side by side} spotted

Not always bad to see spots.

image 1 via, image 2

{pom pom mobile}

Though I am not in the need of any baby items [that's 100% not a complaint], I find myself looking forward to sharing in the excitement each time I get the 'we're having a baby!' call.  This definitely looks like a great addition to a baby's atmosphere.

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{Jason Wu for Target}

Now THIS is a collaboration I can get behind!

{love, love me do}

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{on the street} best of Tommy Ton

Some amazing shots by Tommy Ton that I have somehow missed the first time around.  Great way to sum up the colors & amazing madness of the year past.

You can find other posts about Tommy Ton here, here and here.

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{just because}

I mean, who doesn't want a knuckle meat pounder that can change into a protection device at night?

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{in my kitchen} persimmon salad

Ever since I went back to Salt and Fat in Sunnyside with my friend before the break, I couldn't stop thinking about this Persimmon salad that rocked my world.  So, when I went to an organic Chinese Market a few blocks away and saw some perfectly ripe persimmons in front of my eyes, I just had to try to recreate it.  Just had to! I am not normally a 'salad person', so the mixture of fruit & bacon is a great way to get some greens in my belly.

All ya need:

*ripe persimmons (should be very soft. oh, and make sure to remove ALL skin)

*fresh feta cheese

*arugula

*vinaigrette (I used a blush wine, but lemon or pepper will do just fine)

and most importantly,

*bacon, speck or pancetta

ta da!!


Photos: Robin West

{instagram}

Happy 2012!!!

I have finally joined the rest of the world, purchasing an iPhone as a Xmas gift for myself, with Instagram being the first app installed, obviously.  As much as I love toting [more like lugging] my Digital XLR around, it's nice to be able to take quality photos from a phone.  Here are a few images from my first week.  Oh, and if you're on Instagram as well, you can find me at @RobinWest or on Webstagram!

Photos: Robin West